The Ivory House: The Days of Elijah

The Widow of Zarephath's young son, Yashar, abandons his mother to follow the prophet, Elijah, into Israel during a time of devastating drought. At Mount Carmel, when Elijah calls down fire and rain from heaven, Yashar witnesses God's triumph over Queen Jezebel's pagan priests.Overcome with the fear of the vengeful queen, Elijah runs away. Yashar follows the prophet but finds himself lost and alone in a foreign land until he is adopted by a stray dog. Yashar names the animal, Juttah and the once frail animal grows uncannily strong. At Jezreel, Juttah leads Yashar into Naboth's vineyard and a new life.While the prophet, Elijah, comes out of hiding and pronounces judgment on nations and kings, Yashar works inNaboth's vineyard and falls in love with both Naboth's family and the art of making wine. Though he plans to grow old in the vineyard, Yashar witnesses Naboth's brutal murder and Israel's fall further into idolatry. Years later, when Juttah proves to be an instrument of God's will, Yashar understands the warnings of the prophets concerning Israel and is forced to change his plans. Covering the period of the thirteenth century B.C.E. to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 b.c.e., Isserlin, a senior scholar, synthesizes the social, historical, geographical, and archaeological materials relevant to studying ancient Israel in its ancient Near Eastern context. Isserlin has an accessible style and brings the latest in biblical research to students and general readers. The stunning array of 85 photographs -- plus maps, line-drawings, and charts -- make this a rich resource for scholars as well. Covering the period of the thirteenth century B.C.E. to the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E., Isserling, a senior scholar, synthesizes the social, historical, geographical, and archaeological materials relevant to studying ancient Israel in its ancient Near Eastern context. Isserlin has an accessible style and brings the latest in biblical research to students and general readers. The stunning array of 85 photographs-plus maps, line drawings, and charts-make this a rich resource for scholars as well.